Before applying for a home loan you need to make sure you are properly prepared and have your expenses under control.

To improve your chances of being approved for a home loan, you should try not to take on any other big debts in the six months before you apply.

This is the advice of Hano Jacobs, CEO of the Realty 1 International Property Group. “Banks don’t like to see too many recent requests for credit clearance on your record, so this is not the time to buy a new car or furniture on a hire purchase agreement.”

“In fact, you might even think twice at this stage about taking out a new cell phone contract or applying for a new store card,” he says.

Home buyers should also do their best not to change jobs while in the process of applying for a home loan. “Lenders look for employment stability, so if your reason for moving house is to take up a new position, you will need confirmation of this from your new employer to accompany your home loan application, in addition to your salary records from your current job,” says Jacobs.

He warns that home buyers should not try to conceal anything in their financial past from the lender. “If you have borrowed the cash to pay the deposit and will have to repay it, say so. If you have had credit problems in the past, admit to these too.

“Today’s sophisticated credit checking systems will inevitably reveal the whole story, and once lenders find you have been less than truthful about one thing, they will naturally start to question the rest of your home loan application and once that happens, the chances are very good that it will be declined.”

Two further pieces of advice for home buyers, he says, are not to go on a spending spree for a new home if their home loan application is approved, and not to proceed with an application if a change in their circumstances means they will not be able to afford the repayments.

Some additional expense on a new home is to be expected, says Jacobs, but buyers should resist the temptation to splash out and deplete their cash resources at least until they have taken transfer and established the actual running costs of their new home.

“And if something should happen that makes a big change to your financial picture, such as a disabling accident or a retrenchment, for example, it is not a good idea to proceed with an application in the hope of securing the loan before the bank finds out what has happened,” says Jacobs.

He advises that if there is a good chance you will not be able to repay the debt, you should rather withdraw the application – and keep your credit record intact.

Mortgage Plus offers a wide range of advice on different bond options and further advice on the above. Please call us for further information on:

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Property prices rise despite rise in mortgage declines

The average house price rose 6.8 percent year-on-year in June to R837,599 from R784,427 a year earlier.

The growth in the average purchase price amongst first-time buyers remained strong, with year-on-year growth of 12.1 percent in June.

According to the mortgage companies, the average approved bond size increased 14.3 percent year-on-year in June to R695,381, compared with R608,316 a year earlier.

The average deposit as a percentage of purchase price fell 24.4 percent year-on-year to R142,218, equivalent to an average deposit of 17 percent of the purchase price.

The average ratio of bonds declined increased marginally in June, up 1.3 percent year-on-year to 48.8 percent from 47.5 percent a year earlier, due to the higher proportion of 100 percent loans in June. On a month-on-month basis the decline ratio fell 4.1 percent to 48.8 percent from 52.9 percent in May.

The ratio of applications declined by one lender, but approved by another, increased 7.5 percent year-on-year to 24.8 percent.

“This is good news for homebuyers, as it indicates a higher probability of loan approval from another bank even if initially declined.

General sentiment had no doubt been enhanced by the successful hosting of the World Cup.

“Overall, the signs remain positive for the housing market, although we expect price growth to continue at a slightly slower pace in the second half of the year.”

By choosing Mortgage Plus for a loan, you will get that continual service to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.

CONTACT US

Speak to a home loan consultant about financing your new property or reviewing your existing mortgage. We are able to assist in lowering your bond repayments and securing attorney discounts.

Complete this short form online
Call us on 011.327.4489
Email: morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za